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There's more to cell phones than ewaste

One usually reads environmentally depressing news about cell phones - the ewaste they generate, the prospect of dangerous radiation they (probably) emit, and the low recycling rates for rare earth metals needed for their manufacture. So, it was a wonderful change to read something positive about cell phones for once.

How the cell phone revolution can raise millions out of poverty, pr... by George Black is a great piece of journalism.

I highly recommend you read the story and share it with your colleagues and friends. It's a bit long-ish, but worth your time. I never thought cell phones could be useful in combating climate change, but homegrown (read "Indian") research proves that it can!

Mahazareen is an environmental researcher-cum-writer based in Mumbai. This blogpost originally appeared on http://mahazareendastur.blogspot.in/.

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Comment by DR. KAWALJEET SINGH on March 1, 2012 at 7:14am: Here is one person who has lived through these. Cut to village in Punjab 1979-81. There was NO phone No STD BOOTH any where near my native village. If, God forbid, your elder were to fall ill, a person would have to ride for ONE hour to reach the P&T tehsil office. Then the person would have to BEG with the officer there to place a lightning call to the number on the other side. The officer would take Rs. 100/- (then in 1980, this was huge amount) advance - lest you may run away after making your call! worst still the call may drop, but you still had to for it any way.

Later about 1985 each sarpanch was given a phone for the use in village. That was a revolution. Only, the Sarpanch would have to be kept in very good humour indeed!

Today? Forget land lines. 70-80 year old ladies wear the mobile around their neck. And every now and then, receive calls from grand children! From Kanada Ji! where else!

Comment by Mahazareen Dastur on February 28, 2012 at 11:17pm: @ kamla ravikumar: Please go to http://www.onearth.org/article/india-calling to read the article. The hyperlink appears as part of the title of the article.